Sam Stone (song)
Encyclopedia
"Sam Stone" is a song written by John Prine
about a drug-addicted veteran
with a Purple Heart
and his death by overdose.
The most familiar refrain in the song is "There's a hole in daddy's arm, where all the money goes"
The song can be interpreted as a reference to the phenomenon of heroin or morphine
addiction
and subsequent heroin addiction
among Vietnam war
veterans
. The song does not mention the Vietnam War, saying only that Sam returned from "serving in the conflict overseas." There is a single explicit reference to morphine, but not to heroin, although he does use the term "habit," slang commonly associated with heroin use,
and sings "he popped his last balloon," very likely referring to one of the ways in which street heroin is commonly packaged - in small rubber balloons.
in the opening of "The Post War Dream," a song on Pink Floyd
's 1983 album "The Final Cut
". The song is indirectly referenced in "Cop Shoot Cop...", which closes Spiritualized
's 1997 album, Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space
- the lyrics "There's a hole in my arm where all the money goes/Jesus Christ died for nothing, I suppose," are almost identical to the memorable refrain of "Sam Stone."
John Prine
John Prine is an American country/folk singer-songwriter. He has been active as a recording artist and live performer since the early 1970s.-Biography:...
about a drug-addicted veteran
Veteran
A veteran is a person who has had long service or experience in a particular occupation or field; " A veteran of ..."...
with a Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
and his death by overdose.
The most familiar refrain in the song is "There's a hole in daddy's arm, where all the money goes"
The song can be interpreted as a reference to the phenomenon of heroin or morphine
Morphine
Morphine is a potent opiate analgesic medication and is considered to be the prototypical opioid. It was first isolated in 1804 by Friedrich Sertürner, first distributed by same in 1817, and first commercially sold by Merck in 1827, which at the time was a single small chemists' shop. It was more...
addiction
Substance dependence
The section about substance dependence in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders does not use the word addiction at all. It explains:...
and subsequent heroin addiction
Substance dependence
The section about substance dependence in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders does not use the word addiction at all. It explains:...
among Vietnam war
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
veterans
Vietnam veteran
Vietnam veteran is a phrase used to describe someone who served in the armed forces of participating countries during the Vietnam War.The term has been used to describe veterans who were in the armed forces of South Vietnam, the United States armed forces, and countries allied to them, whether or...
. The song does not mention the Vietnam War, saying only that Sam returned from "serving in the conflict overseas." There is a single explicit reference to morphine, but not to heroin, although he does use the term "habit," slang commonly associated with heroin use,
and sings "he popped his last balloon," very likely referring to one of the ways in which street heroin is commonly packaged - in small rubber balloons.
Mentions in Print
Time magazine July 24, 1972http://www.time.com/magazine/article/0,9171,906192,00.html?promoid=googlep"The Post War Dream"
Parts of the melody of "Sam Stone" were used by Roger WatersRoger Waters
George Roger Waters is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. He was a founding member of the progressive rock band Pink Floyd, serving as bassist and co-lead vocalist. Following the departure of bandmate Syd Barrett in 1968, Waters became the band's lyricist, principal songwriter...
in the opening of "The Post War Dream," a song on Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
's 1983 album "The Final Cut
The Final Cut
The Final Cut may refer to:*The Final Cut , a 1983 album by Pink Floyd*"The Final Cut" , a song by Pink Floyd*The Final Cut , a 1983 "video EP" by Pink Floyd*The Final Cut , an industrial music group...
". The song is indirectly referenced in "Cop Shoot Cop...", which closes Spiritualized
Spiritualized
Spiritualized are an English space rock band formed in 1990 in Rugby, Warwickshire by Jason Pierce after the demise of his previous outfit, space-rockers Spacemen 3...
's 1997 album, Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space
Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space
Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space is the third studio album by Spiritualized, released in June 1997, and features guest appearances from the Balanescu Quartet, The London Community Gospel Choir and Dr...
- the lyrics "There's a hole in my arm where all the money goes/Jesus Christ died for nothing, I suppose," are almost identical to the memorable refrain of "Sam Stone."
Other Recordings
- Bob GibsonBob Gibson (musician)Samuel Robert Gibson was a folk singer who led a folk music revival in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He was known for playing both the banjo and the 12-string guitar. He introduced a then largely unknown Joan Baez at the Newport Folk Festival of 1959. He produced a number of LPs in the decade...
on Bob Gibson 1970. - Swamp DoggSwamp DoggJerry Williams, Jr., , is a soul music artist who is better known by his pseudonym Swamp Dogg.Born in Portsmouth, Virginia, Williams made his first recording in 1954 under the moniker "Little Jerry", a 78 rpm single on the Mechanic label titled "HTD Blues" / "Nats Wailing"...
on Cuffed, Collared, Tagged & Gassed 1972 - Laura CantrellLaura CantrellLaura Cantrell is a country singer-songwriter and DJ from Nashville, Tennessee. She used to present a weekly country and old-time music radio show on WFMU in New Jersey called The Radio Thrift Shop...
on Future Soundtrack for AmericaFuture Soundtrack for America-External links:**, the companion book from McSweeney's...
2004 - Tim Grimm on Names 2004
- Johnny CashJohnny CashJohn R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
on Live from Austin, TXLive from Austin, TX (Johnny Cash album)Recorded on January 3, 1987, Live from Austin, TX is Johnny Cash's performance from the Austin, Texas television show, Austin City Limits. It was released on New West Records in 2005. Cash performs many old hits, and performs new ones from his latest releases on Mercury Records, where he just...
2005 - Al KooperAl KooperAl Kooper is an American songwriter, record producer and musician, known for organizing Blood, Sweat & Tears , providing studio support for Bob Dylan when he went electric in 1965, and also bringing together guitarists Mike Bloomfield and Stephen Stills to...
on Naked SongsNaked SongsNaked Songs is the sixth and final album by singer-songwriter Al Kooper for Columbia Records, released in 1973.A contract-fulfilling release, coming months after Kooper had set up the Sounds of the South label through MCA Records, it was quickly recorded at New York City's Record Plant and at...
1973 - Dawnwind on Looking Back on the Future 1975
- Evan DandoEvan DandoEvan Griffith Dando is an American musician, most famous for fronting the alternative rock band The Lemonheads. He is the only original member left in the current Lemonheads line-up, having served as lead singer since the band's original formation in 1986...
on "unknown" - Totta NäslundTotta NäslundErik Torsten "Totta" Näslund was a Swedish rock and blues musician, with leftist political views.- Biography :...
on Totta 4 - Duetterna 2001 (in Swedish, duet with Charlotte Berg)